Biography
Patrick Allaire, Ph.D.
Dr. Patrick Allaire holds a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from McGill University, a Master’s degree in Experimental Medicine (focused on tumor biology), and a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry. Over the past 20 years, Dr. Allaire has developed deep expertise in genetics, molecular biology, functional genomics, and translational research. He has also acquired advanced skills in CRISPR-based gene manipulation, high-throughput assays, imaging, GWAS/PheWAS, and large-scale data analysis. Dr. Allaire’s work has consistently focused on uncovering molecular mechanisms of gene function through biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology, and genetics, all with the vision of advancing precision medicine.
For Dr. Allaire, science is not just about data, but also about collaboration and mentorship. He has led national biobank projects, published widely, and trained the next generation of researchers. He is passionate about bringing people together across disciplines, where biology, data, and clinical insights converge to solve complex problems.
Most recently, Dr. Allaire has been exploring the integration of generative AI in his research workflows to enhance accuracy, streamline reporting, and expedite the discovery process. At the heart of his work, he remains motivated by bridging research with patient care, fostering curiosity, and mentoring others — while continuing to explore science with the same sense of wonder he brings to the outdoors.
Education
Ph.D. – Neuroscience (Molecular & Cellular Biology focus) | McGill University, Canada | 2003-2009
- Used proteomics to identify and characterize novel proteins in clathrin-coated vesicles, leading to a breakthrough discovery in vesicular trafficking mechanisms.
- Applied biochemistry, proteomics, and microscopy to validate molecular mechanisms.
- Optimized protocols and assays for reproducibility and scalability, advancing understanding of intracellular transport.
- Awarded the C. Nance Common Neuroscience Award for contributions to molecular neuroscience.
M.Sc. – Experimental Medicine (Oncology focus) | McGill University, Canada | 2000-2002
- Investigated cancer signaling pathways, applying cell biology and biochemical approaches.
- Built foundational expertise in oncology and translational cancer research.
B.S. in Biochemistry | University de Montreal, Canada | 1997 – 2000
Training and Certification
Summer Institute for Statistical Genetics | Washington University, USA | July 2023
- Probability, Statistical Interference, and Statistical Genetics
- Gene Expression
- Pathway and Network Analysis
Generative AI for Business with Microsoft Azure OpenAI | Great Learning | May 2025
- Leveraging Generative AI for Business Applications
- Python for Generative AI
- Designing Generative AI Solutions with Azure Open AI
- Azure AI Fundamentals
Artificial Intelligence in Pharma and Biotech | MIT Sloan School of Management | September – October 2025
- The landscape of AI in the pharmaceutical industry: Python for Generative AI
- Using AI for early drug discovery: From small molecules to biologics
- Modeling the biological underpinning of disease
- Biomarkers, discovery, and patient stratification
- Design and management of clinical trials
- Business and innovation in pharma
Professional Experience
Consultant and founder – BioMentis LLC | West Linn, Oregon | 2025-present
Project Scientist – Human Genetics |Marshfield Clinic Research Institute | Marshfield, WI | 2017 – 2024
- Managed NIH-funded translational genomics projects, including the All of Us Research Program, integrating WGS with EHR data to uncover genotype–phenotype associations.
- Designed and validated a qPCR telomere assay applied to >85,000 samples; implemented cloud-based WGS pipelines for >5,000 individuals.
- Led PheWAS analyses connecting genetic variation with phenotypes, including cancer susceptibility, drug response, and infection risk.
- Collaborated with clinicians, academic investigators, and bioinformaticians partners to translate findings into precision medicine.
- Supervised technicians and established GLP-like standards for assay reproducibility.
- Contributed manuscripts and presented results at major international conferences.
Postdoctoral Fellow – Genetics & Advanced Microscopy | University of Utah | Salt Lake City, UT | 2011 – 2017
- Investigated vesicular pathways and genetic determinants of peptide-hormone transport.
- Applied in vivo super-resolution microscopy to monitor vesicle trafficking.
- Mentored students and coordinated multi-lab collaborations, ensuring rigor and reproducibility.
Transitional Postdoctoral Fellow – Cancer Biology (Glioblastoma) | McGill University | Montreal, Canada | 2010 – 2011
- Extended Ph.D. discoveries in molecular signaling into glioblastoma research, investigating how dysregulated pathways contribute to tumor progression.
- Strengthened translational cancer expertise through collaboration with oncology research groups.
Domain Achievements & Publications
🧠 Neuroscience
Advanced understanding of neuronal trafficking, receptor recycling, and peptide hormone secretion through molecular, cellular, and whole-organism studies.
Key Publications:
- Allaire PD, et al. J. Neurosci. 2006 — Connecdenn and synaptic vesicle endocytosis.
- Allaire PD, et al. Mol. Cell 2010 — Connecdenn DENN domain mediating cargo exit from early endosomes.
- Allaire PD, et al. J. Cell Sci. 2013 — Rab35 and Arf6 control cargo recycling and cell migration.
- LaBella ML, Allaire PD, et al. Dev. Cell 2020 — Casein kinase 1δ stabilizes axons by regulating ankyrin transcription.
- Postdoctoral work: Genetic and mechanistic analysis of Cab-1 in peptide-hormone transport and seccretion (manuscript in preparation).
🎗️ Cancer Biology
Elucidated mechanisms of growth-factor signaling and cell adhesion relevant to cancer cell proliferation and migration.
Key Publications:
- Master’s thesis: “Erk1/2 Provides Retinoic Acid Resistance to Breast and Lung Cancer Cell Lines,” McGill University.
- Allaire PD, et al. J. Cell Sci. 2013 — Rab35 and Arf6 interplay in receptor recycling and cancer cell adhesion.
- Allaire PD, et al. Methods Mol. Biol. 2015 — Connecdenn GEF activity analysis in cargo recycling.
- Blondeau F, Allaire PD, et al. PNAS 2004 — Critical involvement of clathrin-coated vesicles in synaptic and cellular recycling (relevant to tumor cell trafficking).
- Allaire PD, et al. Cell Genomic, 2025 (Under review) — Long-telomeropathy is associated with tumor predisposition syndrome
🧬 Genetics
Led large-scale human and model-organism studies revealing genetic determinants of telomere length, rare disease variants, and infection susceptibility.
Key Publications:
- Allaire P, et al. HGG Advances 2023 — Genetic and clinical determinants of telomere length.
- Allaire P, et al. Kidney360 2024 — Familial renal glycosuria and SGLT2 inhibitors.
- Allaire P, et al. PLOS One 2024 — PheWAS of Staphylococcus aureus infection.
- Allaire PD, et al. Cell Genomic, 2025 — Long-telomeropathy is associated with tumor predisposition syndrome (Manuscript under review)
- Postdoctoral work: High-throughput telomere length assay in 85,000+ samples
- Postdoctoral work: Genetic and mechanistic analysis of Cab-1 in peptide-hormone transport and seccretion (manuscript in preparation).
💻 Data Science & AI
Integrated genomics, electronic health records, and large biobanks with advanced statistical methods and AI to drive precision medicine and scalable mentoring.
Key Publications:
- Allaire P, et al. HGG Advances 2023 — Biobank-scale telomere analysis (GWAS/PheWAS).
- Allaire P, et al. Kidney360 2024 — Variant-driven pharmacogenetics using EHR-linked data from the All of US biobank.
- Allaire P, et al. PLOS One 2024 — PheWAS of Staphylococcus aureus infection. Bionformatics study to uncover medical phenotypes associated woth Stap. infection using TriNetX, All of Us biobanks, and PMRP (Pernsonalized Medicine Research Project, an Marshfield Clinic private biobank)
- Allaire PD, et al. Cell Genomic, 2025 — Long-telomeropathy is associated with tumor predisposition syndrome. An All of US (Manuscript under review)
- Ongoing: AI-assisted workflows for genomic analysis and interactive mentoring (unpublished project notes).
